Anyone with a cat or dog is probably familiar with the concept of microchipping; a small chip placed under the skin which stores information. It is common practice to microchip pets so that their owner can be traced in the event they are lost or injured. What is not common, however, is the concept of microchipping humans, but that is exactly what is being proposed in the UK.

The chips, which are around the size of a grain of rice, are implanted between the thumb and forefinger. The...